For me, it felt like this book had two halves. Love, Hate and Other Filters is about a young girl who deals with things like following a dream, falling in love, strict parents and the islamophobia after an attack. The main character, Maya, is very much a teenager: There's a lot of romance and boy drama and fluff, the other half is about dealing with islamophobia in America. There's more focus on the happy teenager part, with a view into Indian and Muslim culture. (I love how it's an own-voices book, we definitely need more of those!) Overall it's a light read, with some serious parts. The focus could have been more on that and focused more on that message, but that would have made it harder and more emotional to read too.
The writing was alright, but there is a second story line that is a bit confusing in the beginning. (It will make more sense after a while.) For me it won't stay with me for long, but since it's the writer's first book I'm curious about what else she'll write.
The writing was alright, but there is a second story line that is a bit confusing in the beginning. (It will make more sense after a while.) For me it won't stay with me for long, but since it's the writer's first book I'm curious about what else she'll write.